Four Greek MPs Charged in €19.6 Million EU Farm Subsidy Fraud

European prosecutors have charged four Greek MPs for their alleged involvement in a massive farm subsidy fraud scheme that defrauded the European Union of over €19.6 million (US$22.5 million). The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) stated that Greek state employees and politicians helped dozens of farmers illegally obtain subsidies, with some recipients having no connection to agriculture. Greek authorities previously estimated damages at a minimum of €23 million. The scandal, which spanned from 2016 to 2023, involved the government agency OPEKEPE, which handles subsidy payments. It has led to ministerial resignations and inconclusive parliamentary inquiries, and the EU has fined Greece over the misuse of funds.